Meanwhile, in another corner of the food joint….
LEXI'S POV
I folded my fist tightly and stood there, frozen, as I watched Kate and Tony hug. I didn't understand how I got there but I'm sure my instincts moved me into watching her. Their embrace seemed to linger, and Tony's eyes held a deep concern that made my skin crawl. Why was he so invested in Kate's life? And why did it bother me so much?
But what really unsettled me was the unfamiliar feeling stirring inside me. I'd always thought of Kate as just my sister, but lately...lately, I'd been noticing things about her that I couldn't explain. The way her hair fell in loose waves down her back, the way her smile lit up a room. It was wrong, I knew it. She's my sister. But I couldn't shake off the feeling. I couldn't even go ahead with Dan's plan because I felt uneasy about it.
Maya's sudden appearance beside me broke the spell. "Ugh, look at them. Kate's always so dramatic, seeking attention from anyone who'll give it to her. I know you don't like her, I feel embarrassed by what you did earlier. And come to think of it, she started it first."
I barely registered her words, still trying to process the strange emotions swirling inside me. But Maya kept talking, her voice dripping with venom, trying to draw me into her web of hate and keeping on with self defense as she twisted her body in a bid to distract me.
"Maya, stop," I growled, my voice low and even. "Just...stop bullying her and try to be mature for once. I told you severally that you're not my type. So, quit whatever emotions you have for me. And more importantly, stay away from Kate. She's my sister and you'd have me to deal with if you lay a finger on her"
Maya's eyes flashed with anger, but I didn't care. I just wanted her to shut up and leave me alone to sort out the mess in my head. I turned and walked away, leaving Maya hanging, her words still spilling into the air like poison.
As I disappeared into the crowd, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was running from more than just Maya's toxic words. I was running from the unsettling truth about my feelings for Kate.
***
Tony and Kate strolled across campus, hand in hand, as they made their way to their next lecture. The warm sun cast a golden glow over the bustling quad, especially in the duo making them look like a sweet couple. The air was alive with the hum of conversation and the sweet scent of blooming flowers.
As they entered the lecture hall, the murmur of voices grew louder, punctuated by the occasional burst of laughter. Kate felt a flutter in her chest as the discussion about the cafeteria scene lingers, with various glances piercing her but Kate cared less as she made her way to her seat.
Professor Mark stood at the front of the room, scribbling notes on the whiteboard as the students settled in. The lecture was on advanced psychology, and Kate was determined to focus, despite the drama that had unfolded earlier.
But as the professor droned on, Kate's mind began to wander. She couldn't shake the memory of Lexi's piercing gaze, or the way his eyes had seemed to bore into her soul. She felt a shiver run down her spine as she wondered what he was thinking, whether he was still angry with her.
The lecture finally drew to a close, and Tony squeezed her hand as they packed up their things. "Hey, you okay?" he asked, his voice low and concerned.
Kate nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah, just a bit distracted."
As they filed out of the lecture hall, they joined a group of classmates in the library to work on their group project. The topic was the psychology of relationships, and Kate couldn't help but feel a sense of irony as they delved into the discussion.
But as they worked, the conversation kept drifting back to the drama from earlier. The other girls in the group couldn't resist asking Kate about her relationship with Lexi, and whether they were really siblings.
Tony intervened, his voice firm but polite. "Ladies, can we please focus on the project? We have a lot of work to do."
The girls reluctantly turned their attention back to the task at hand, but Kate could sense their disappointment. They had been hoping for juicy gossip, and Tony had shut them down.
Soon, the project was finally done, and Kate felt at ease. She couldn't wait to finally get out of the heated environment.
****
The sun had begun to set when they stepped out of the library, casting a warm orange glow over the campus, Kate and Tony walked out of the library, exhausted from their group project. They were deep in conversation when suddenly, a sleek black car pulled up in front of them, drawing a chorus of admiring glances from passersby.
Lexi leaned out of the driver's window, his eyes fixed intently on Kate. "Hey, sis. Need a ride?"
Kate hesitated, feeling a flutter in her chest. "I don't know, Lexi. Tony and I were just going to -"
But Lexi's authoritative voice cut her off. "Hop in, Kate. I'll give you a ride home."
Tony stepped forward, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Hey, Lexi, I've got her. She's with me."
But Lexi's gaze was unyielding. He even gave Tony a deadly glare before turning back to Kate. "Now, Kate."
Kate felt a shiver run down her spine as she reluctantly walked towards the car. Lexi reached out and dragged her into the passenger seat, his hand brushing against hers.
As they drove away, the silence was palpable. Kate couldn't help but steal glances at Lexi, wondering what had brought about this sudden change in behavior.
Finally, she broke the silence. "Lexi, why did you...why did you save me earlier? And why are you giving me a ride home?"
Lexi's gaze remained fixed on the road ahead. "I'm your brother, Kate. It's only right that I come to your rescue."
Kate frowned, feeling a mix of emotions. "But why now? You've never...you've never been this way with me before."
Lexi's expression softened slightly. "You need to learn to stand up for yourself, Kate. You're not a commoner. You're a Carson, and you should act like one."
Kate felt a surge of indignation, but Lexi continued before she could respond.
"And from now on, I'll be giving you a ride home. You don't need to rely on anyone else."
The rest of the ride was silent, Kate lost in thought as she wondered what had brought about this sudden change in Lexi's behaviour. Was it genuine, or was there something more to it?